Two Cell Phones Better Than One: Survey

Good News for Wireless Carriers and Retailers

By Allan Pulga

A surprising number of wireless subscribers use two cell phones, which gives wireless service providers and retailers a new avenue for business: selling people a second phone.

A recent survey by Compete research firm found that approximately 16 per cent of wireless users have two mobile phones – often one for personal use and one for business. Five years ago, the figure was near zero, said Compete Analyst Adam Guy in USA Today.

Although most “double-dialers” split time between a BlackBerry or voice/email handset for work, some actually use two cell phones. The practice is helping wireless providers boost subscribers in a largely saturated market, said Ovum Analyst Roger Entner, also in USA Today.

The main reason this trend has grown from zero to 16 per cent of wireless subscribers is companies restricting business phones to business use. According to Michael Voellinger of Telwares, a telecom expense consultant to large companies, about 70 per cent of Fortune 100 companies supply phones or PDAs to employees and pay monthly service fees.

Apparently, companies want to limit wireless costs by preventing employees for chatting away daytime minutes for personal use.

Nonetheless, even employees who are allowed to make personal calls from their business phones continue using their personal cell phones. USA Today reporter Paul Davidson found that some reasons why: separating personal and business lives, keeping a familiar number, low-priced plans, and better coverage.

To separate personal and business use: 59%

One for incoming calls, the other for outgoing: 6%

One for normal use, the other as a walkie-talkie: 6%

One for peak hours, the other for off-peak hours: 5%

One for calling, the other for email, Internet and other data: 5%

One in car, the other with me: 1%

(Source: Market researcher Compete)